Cape Rep Theatre Presents MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Cape Rep Theatre is opening its 33rd season with the regional premiere of Merrily We Roll Along, book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, May 9 through June 3, Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm; there is no performance on Wednesday, May 23rd. Tickets are $35 and $40. Pay-What-You-Can-Night is the first Friday, May 11th. Group rates & Student Rush tickets also available. Call the box office for details. Cape Rep Indoor Theater. North Side Route 6A E. Brewster. 508.896.1888 or www.caperep.org.

About MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Book by George Furth
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally directed on Broadway by Harold Prince
Originally produced on Broadway by Lord Grade, Martin Starger, Robert Fryer and Harold Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell and Howard Haines

Directed by Maura Hanlon
Musical Direction by Peter Hodgson
Set Design by Andrew Licout
Costume Design by Robin McLaughlin
Lighting Design by Susan Nicholson
Projection Design by Lisa Renkel
Properties by Mary Fritz
Stage Management by Kate Gulden

Following three best friends over the 20-year span of their artistic careers, Sondheim's brilliant score includes, "Not a Day Goes By," "Old Friends" and "Good Thing Going." As the trio of creatives, Cape Rep favorites Jared Hagan, Trish LaRose and Adam Berry will bring their real-life friendship to the stage, and the drive and wit of the story to life. The musical has had an interesting journey. Adapted from the George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play of the same name, it was originally conceived in 1981 by Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim to be played by young people acting as their older selves until, by the play's end, they reach the actual age of their characters at the beginning of their artistic lives. As Sondheim said at the time, "life must be lived forwards but can only be understood backwards." A 1994 revival saw quite a few changes to the musical. Director Maura Hanlon believes the time is finally perfect for this musical gem that explores the challenges surrounding an artist and the choices he must make for his art.

Merrily We Roll Along will be directed by Cape Rep's Associate Artistic Director, Maura Hanlon, with Musical Direction by Peter Hodgson of last season's Billy Elliot the Musical and Boundless. Newcomer Andrew Licout designs the set with costumes by Robin McLaughlin, lighting by Susan Nicholson and projections by Lisa Renkel. Mary Fritz is in charge of properties and Kate Gulden is the stage manager.

The cast features Adam Berry as composer Franklin Shepard, Jared Hagan as his writing partner Charley Kringas and Trish LaRose as novelist Mary Flynn, the three best friends of the story. They are joined by Kelly Plescia, making her Cape Rep debut as Beth, Rachel O'Malley, last seen at Cape Rep in the title role of Evita, as Broadway star Gussie Carnegie, and Ben Berry, also making his Cape Rep debut, as producer Joe Josephson. The ensemble is a wonderful mix of Cape Rep artists and newcomers including Jess Andra (Men on Boats, A New Brain), Shelby Anne Davis, Emma Fitzpatrick, Jeffrey Kelly (Hairspray), Julien Lajoie (Billy Elliot), Meghan Magrath (Failure: A Love Story, Funny Girl), Craig McKerley, Noah Pelty, and Anthony Teixeira (Evita, The Light in the Piazza).

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